News Archive

Nearly ten people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured every day in crashes involving a distracted driver. In fact, distracted driving now ranks with alcohol and speeding as the top three causes of fatal and serious injury crashes.

From smartphones and tablets to game consoles, people are hooked on technology. However, the ever-increasing use of these devices has resulted in a dramatic rise in injuries to the hands, wrists and elbows, as well as the neck and back.

It's no surprise that children are spending more time than ever glued to smart phones, tablets and other tech devices. What may be surprising, however, is how children - and adults - are using these devices and putting themselves at risk for a number of physical issues and injuries.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is again ranked as one of the top three rehabilitation hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report and is the only facility of its kind in New Jersey to be named to the prestigious "Best Hospitals" list. This marks the 24th consecutive year that Kessler has been listed among the nation's leading rehabilitation hospitals in the annual independent U.S. News survey.

Whether you're training for a marathon or just taking a jog around your neighborhood, running is one of the easiest sports activities to participate in. It is also one of the most popular with more than 25 million Americans lacing up their sneakers and heading out to local streets, tracks, parks and gyms regularly.

The new movie Concussion will likely raise concerns and controversy surrounding traumatic brain injuries, it will certainly raise awareness. While the film focuses on the long-term effects of brain injury among professional football players, the important underlying message is that a concussion can impact anyone at any time, on or off the field.

Select Medical's Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the nation's leading rehabilitation hospitals, announced today the appointment of Sue Kida, P.T., MHA, to the position of President, effective Oct. 1. Kida, who most recently served as the hospital's Chief Operating Officer, will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Kessler's Chester campus.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has been named a gold level "Fit-Friendly Worksite" by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for its commitment to providing a healthy work environment for its more than 1600 employees.

As summer unfolds, more and more children are playing outdoors, and taking to the streets on bicycles, scooter, skates and skateboards. While these activities provide important exercise, they also bring an increased risk of injury.

Whether you ride a bicycle for exercise, to commute to work or school, or just to have some outdoor fun, the benefits can be great. Cycling is a low impact sport that can help strengthen muscles and bones, control weight, improve cardiovascular health and even boost your mood and mental health. But along with the many benefits of cycling comes an increased risk for injury.

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) in concert with Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will host a New Jersey "Demo Day" to kickoff National Mobility Awareness Month. Wheelchair accessible vehicles that can be adapted to the needs of individuals with disabilities offer independence and will be featured at this free event, which is being held on Thursday, April 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, NJ.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has announced that renowned cancer rehabilitation specialist Michael Stubblefield, M.D., joined the hospital on March 1, 2015. Dr. Stubblefield is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Internal Medicine and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has been ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the country for 2014-2015, and as the leading facility of its kind in New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan region by U.S. News & World Report.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and Kessler Foundation, members of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), will participate in the 24-hour, "Walk to Victory Over Paralysis," from 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, through 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, 2014. This unique event is being held at Kessler's West Orange campus, located at 1199 Pleasant Valley Way.

Neil N. Jasey, Jr., MD, Director of Brain Injury Services at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, was recognized by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for his outstanding commitment to patient care and contributions to the community. Dr. Jasey was one of ten healthcare professionals to be honored at this year's ceremony.

Enter to Win a Free Fully-Equipped Van from the NMEDA

In celebration of National Mobility Awareness Month, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is holding a contest and will be giving away three fully equipment motor vehicles. To enter, individuals with disabilities, or their family members, friends or caregivers, must submit a 400-word or less essay about why he or she (the person with a disability) is a "local hero" - someone who perhaps volunteer in the community, helps to educate others, advocates on behalf of persons with disabilities, or through perseverance and determination has accomplished good things. For more information on the contest or to submit an entry before the May 9, 2014 deadline, please visit http://www.nmeda.com

Please note that contest is not sponsored by nor affiliated in any way with Kessler Institute. We provide this information simply as a public service to our patients and their families.

There are many ways to protect our brains from injury, such as always wearing seat belt when in a car or a helmet when playing certain sports. It's equally important to protect the health of our brains by staying physically and mentally active, especially as we age.

The holiday season is a joyous time of year, but it can also be stressful, exhausting and dangerous to your health. All the cooking, cleaning, shopping, decorating and entertaining can impact an individual's physical and emotional well-being and lead to injury or illness.

As the fall sport season kicks off, parents, coaches and trainers are focusing their attention on the safety of their players, but statistics show that injuries on the sidelines -- among cheerleaders -- rank almost as high as those that take place on the field.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has again been ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the country and as the leading facility of its kind in New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan region by U.S.News & World Report.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will host a free art exhibit featuring the work of renowned painter and former Kessler patient Arthur Bucknor on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital's gallery, located at 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ. A live jazz band will provide music and refreshments will be served.

Kessler Institute offers tips to avoid injury and enjoy the holiday season

To many people, the holidays are a magical time. But there's no magical way to get all the shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning and travelling done without the risk of stress, exhaustion and even injury.Full Story

Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers University football player who suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury in a 2010 game against Army, was presented with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at this year's ESPY ceremony in Los Angeles.
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Nation's largest rehabilitation hospital ranked #2 in the country; tops in the East by U.S. News & World Report

To many people, the holidays are a magical time. But there's no magical way to get all the shopping, decorating, cooking, cleaning and travelling done without the risk of stress, exhaustion and even injury.
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Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation offer tips to get the job done without injury

It's that time of year when many people feel compelled to clean their closets, houses or garages and get rid of the piles of "stuff" that accumulated over the winter months. What most people don't realize is that these chores can be extremely hard on their muscles and bones and can lead to aches, pains and injury.
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Neil N. Jasey, Jr., M.D. has been appointed the Director of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Services at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. In this role, Dr. Jasey will direct the comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation program at Kessler's three campuses in West Orange, Saddle Brook and Chester, New Jersey.
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Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will host the third annual Adapted Recreation Expo on Saturday, September 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Kessler Conference Center, located at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange, N.J. People of all abilities are invited to come and explore new activities, participate in a variety of sports and games, and learn about support groups and other networking opportunities.
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Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has again been ranked as one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in the country and as the leading facility of its kind in the East by U.S. News & World Report. This marks the 19th consecutive year that Kessler has been listed among the nation's best hospitals in this annual independent survey.
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Kessler Foundation and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation are the first rehabilitation centers in the U.S. to implement the new LokomatPro V6, an advanced robotic training system designed to improve mobility in individuals with spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological diseases. This new system, developed by Hocoma, a Swiss-based manufacturer, offers appropriate patients an intensive program of activity-based therapy that has been shown to improve overall function, movement and walking.
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Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation was recently presented with the 2011 Golden Age Award from the Latino Center on Aging (LCA) for its significant contributions to Latino/Hispanic communities. The LCA, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, recognized Kessler for its outstanding leadership in the field of health care and, in particular, medical rehabilitation.
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Whether you take a leisurely jog or sprint to the finish line in a marathon, running is great exercise. In fact, running is one of the easiest and most popular sports among non-professional athletes, with more than 25 million Americans putting on their sneakers and heading out to local streets, parks and gyms. Running offers many benefits, including improved cardiovascular and respiratory function, weight loss, reduced cholesterol and increased muscle and bone strength, as well as a healthier mental outlook. But with any sport or activity comes the risk of injury.
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The roar of a jet, the blare of a siren and even the blast of music from radios and media players are putting people of all ages - from toddlers to seniors - at risk for developing Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). It is estimated that 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 have some degree of hearing loss resulting from exposure to excessive noise at home, work or out in the community.
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Falls are the most common cause of injury in the United States, particularly among older adults. Whether it's a slip on wet or icy pavement or a trip on a rug or stairway, the risk of bruises, broken bones and back and head injuries is significant.
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Stroke is the leading cause of disability - and the third leading cause of death - among adults in the United States. Once thought of as a disease that only affected older individuals, increasing numbers of younger Americans are experiencing strokes due in part to lifestyle issues, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.
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A recent visit to Kessler by members of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation prompted one staffer to share her impressions of the locomotor training program that is part of the national Neuro-Recovery Network.Read More

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 3.8 million young athletes will sustain some type of brain injury this year. With the fall sports season about to kick-off, Kessler physiatrist Neil N. Jasey, M.D., offers important information and guidelines for parents, coaches and players on identifying and treating mild traumatic brain injury, commonly referred to as a concussion.Full Story

On local courts or at Wimbledon's center court, tennis players who want to perform at their best and avoid injury should focus on fitness. Kessler specialists offer tips on training and game techniques.Full Story

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation has been named one of this year's recipients of the prestigious Great Workplace Award from The Gallup Organization. The award recognizes those companies with the best performing workforces in the world and Kessler is one of only 25 companies to receive this honor this year.Full Story

Kessler Rehabilitation Center is pleased to announce the opening of its newest outpatient physical therapy facility at 3 Progress Street, Suite 106, in Edison. The Center is part of the outpatient division of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the nation's leading providers of comprehensive medical rehabilitation services.Full Story

Kessler patients Linda and Dave Kubert, who were profiled in a feature story on NBC News, have something in common that few other married couples can claim – their left legs were amputated following a motorcycle accident in September of 2009. Together, they have fought to recover the skills and mobility to move forward. Equally important they have begun to fight for new laws targeting "distracted drivers."Read their story and watch the video

The role of caregiver is not an easy one. Just ask the mother or wives of three soldiers injured in separate incidents in Iraq, who are now Kessler Institute receiving comprehensive treatment for traumatic brain injury.Full Story

The Recreation Therapy Department of Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation invites people of all abilities to explore new activities, participate in a variety of sports and games, and learn about networking and support group opportunities at the second annual Adapted Recreation Expo to be held at the West Orange campus on Saturday, October 3.Full Story

Physicians and nurses at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, one of the nation's leading medical rehabilitation hospitals, have been recognized for their excellence and expertise in patient care.Full Story

NJ BIZ, the state-wide business news organization, presented Kessler with its 2008 Healthcare Hero award citing the "excellence in programs, treatments and quality of life for their patients" and the significant impact the hospital has on the overall quality of healthcare in New Jersey. Full Story

When John Seville, a police officer, suddenly began to experience nausea, vision problems and numbness in his leg, his wife Connie, who was 40 weeks pregnant at the time, knew he needed help – fast. Full Story

In an interview with Diane Sawyer, window washer Alcides Moreno discussed his slow but steady recovery from a 550-foot fall that occurred when from scaffolding gave way at a New York high-rise. Full Story

Pete, a highly trained facility dog at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ, works closely with occupational therapist Sean McCarthy to provide practical support and inspiration to patients as they participate in their daily therapy sessions. Full Story